Steam iron



E. O. MORTON May 18, 1948.

STEAM IRON Filed Feb. 1o, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 L se lNvl-:NToR ELDRED O. Moa-roN.

BY ATTORNEY Fla. 8

E. o. MoRToN STEAM non Filed Feb. 10, 1945 May 1s, 194s.

Z'Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGA.

INVENTOR ELDRED O. MonroN.

A oRNEY Panarea May 13.1948

UNITED STATE STEAM moistV Morton, Mannelli, Ohio, assignor tol Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgli, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania ApplicationFcbruary 10, 1945, Serial No. 577,277.

t' s claims. (ci. as-'m My invention relates to a steam iron of the type which includes means for supplying water to a steam generator provided within the iron and communicating with the ironing surface i thereof, and meansfor'regulating the temperature of said iron and the rate of ow of water to said steam generator.

One object of my invention is to produce an improved iron of the type set forth.

In ironing different kinds of fabrics, the iron must be maintained at different degrees of heat and the amount of steam supplied to the fabrics being ironed should preferably be varied with different types of fabric. Other things being equal, the amount of steam required varies in accordance with the degree of heat.

It is, therefore, a further object of my invention to produce improved control means for correlating the adjustment ofthe heat of the iron and the supply of steamaccording to the requirements of the fabrics being ironed.

y vA further object of my invention is to produce an improved control `means by which the generation and supply .of steam may be interrupted or resumed without varying the adjustment to which said control means may have been set.

A still further object of my invention is to produce an improved structure in which the means for regulating the heat of the iron may be calibrated before it is assembled in the iron.

A still further object is to produce an improved assembly whereby all parts of the iron may be dismantled for cleaning or servicing without affecting the calibration of the means regulating the heat of the iron and whereby most parts of the iron can be dismantled without affecting the calibration of means regulating the supply of steam.

A still further object is to produce a compact structure which is inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

These'and other objects are effected by my'v invention as will be apparent from the following description and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig, 1 is a view, partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section, of a steam iron provided with control means embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a compositeperspective view of the principal parts of the control means;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of vthe iron shown in Fig. 1 with the handle and control means'removed;

y hence Fig. 4 is an enlarged viewof the central portion of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the position of the'steam supply control when the iron is used as a steam iron;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, showing the position of the same parts when the iron is used as -a dry iron;

Fig. 'I is an enlarged section on line VII- VII of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional View of a modified form of construction of the cam shown at the bottom of Fig. 2.

Referring 'to Figs. 1 to '1 of the drawings in detail, there is shown'an electric iron I0 having a soleplate l2, a liquid reservoir or tank Hand handle I6 which are secured to each other and to the soleplate I2 in a manner which does not form a' part of the present invention and is neither shown nor described. A finished cover I8, which will hereinafter be further referred to, encloses the tank I4 and is secured in position in a manner which also forms no part of the present invention and is, therefore, not shown nor described. The tank I4 is illled with liquid through a tube, not shown, the inlet end of which is accessible upon movement of a plug 20 upwardly from the handle I6.

The soleplate is heated by. a conventional heating element 22 which is energized by suitable electrical conductors, not shown. The energization of the heating element is controlled by a thermostat seated in a well 24 formed in the soleplate l2. A

The thermostat is of the unit type in which all component parts are assembled in an integrated structure which can be applied to or removed from the soleplateof the iro'n as a whole, or without dismantling any of its parts. As shown, the thermostat includes a-spring switch arm 26 carrying a movable contact 28, a bimetal element 30, andan adjusting lever 3 2. The switch arm,'bimetal elementand adjusting lever are carried by a rivet or the like 34. The bimetal elements 30 and 32 are connected to the rivet 34 by means of a spring hinge member 35. The rivet 34 is carried by a supporting plate 3B which also` carries a bushing 38and a fixed contact 40. The structure of the thermostat is also such that it may be calibratedb'efore it is assembled to the soleplate of the iron.

The thermostat is regulated by an adjusting st em l42 which threadedly engages the bushing 38 and which carries'an insulated pin 44 adapted bimetal element with respect to the switch arm 26. The stern 42 passes through a sleeve 46 which extends through the tank I4. 'I'he upper and lower ends of the sleeve 46 pass through openings in the upper and lower walls of the tank, and are brazed or otherwise secured to the rims of said openings in fluidtight manner. If desired, the

' sleeve 46 may be provided with beads 48 which form abutments for the top and bottom walls of the tank, so that the sleeve acts as a stay bolt to keep the top and bottom walls of the tank properly spaced and to strengthen the tank construction.

The soleplate I2 is also provided with a steam generating chamber which is adapted to receive liquid from the tank I4 to be changed into steam. The steam generated in the chamber 50 ilows through passages, not shown, to ports 52 through which it is discharged onto the fabric being ironed. The top' of the chamber 50 is closed or bridged by a plate 54 which has an opening through which a bushing 56 may be inserted. The bushing 56 is provided with a iiange 58 which rests on the plate 54. If desired, a gasket 58 is used to produce a seal between the flange 58 and the plate 54. 'Ihe bushing 56 has a bore 60 which terminates in a valve opening or oriilce 62. The upper end of the bushing 56 threadedly engages the lower end of a sleeve 64 which extends through the tank I4. The upper and lower ends of the sleeve 64 passes through openings in the top and bottom of the tank and are secured to the rims of said openings in iiuidtight manner. The upper and lower ends of the sleeve 64 are shouldered as at 66 so that the sleeve acts as a stay bolt with reference to the walls of the tank.

Liquid from the tank I4 flows into the steam generator 50 through openings 68 formed in the sleeve 64 adjacent the bottom of the tank, through the bore 60 in the bushing 56, and out through the oriilce 62.

The oriiice 62 is controlled by a valve 10 carried by a valve stem 12 extending through the sleeve 64 and into the bushing 56. The lower end of the valve 10 is preferably provided with a reduced extension 'II which is adapted to move into and through the orifice 62 with the movement of the valve 10 so as to eject salt deposits and other foreign matter from theoriiice. 'I'he upper portion of the valve stem 12 is provided with an enlarged head or collar 14 disposed in the upper portion of an enlarged bore 16 formed in the sleeve 64. The lower end of the bore 'I6 is tapered and forms a conical seat for packing 18. A spring 80, confined between the collar 14 and a washer 82, compresses the packing 18 to prevent leakage of liquid from the tank past the valve stem.

As will be seen from Figs. 1, 3 and '1, the cover I8 includes a continuous, substantially vertical skirt portion 84, the bottom edge of which rests upon a margin of the soleplate, a horizontal ledge 86 forming a support for the handle I6, and a top, horizontally-disposed bridge or interconnecting portion 88 which extends transversely of the center of the iron and which is provided with a lateral tab 80. The remainder of the top of the cover is preferably cut out for lightness and economy. Ihe bridge portion 88 and the tap 80 are provided with openings 82 and 84, respectively, through which the thermostat adjusting stem 42 and the valve stem 12, respectively, extend.

The thermostat adjusting stem 42 islongitudinally knurled and carries and engages a correspondingly knurled cam 80.so that the cam rotates with the stem but does not move vertically therewith.- The cam 86 includes a hub 88 having a reduced upper end whereby a shoulder |00 is produced. Ii desired, a thrust washer |02 is interposed between the cam and the top of the' tank I4. In order to accommodate the washer |02 and the cam 66. without spacing the handle from the top of the cover I8, the top of the tank is preferably dished or recessed, as at |04.

The valve stem 12 threadedly engages anopening |06 in an adjusting iollower arm |08, said arm being locked in position on said stem by a threaded sleeve or nut ||0. A spring ||2 confined between the tab and the arm |08, biases the valve stem downwardly, or in a direction to close the oriiice 82. The arm |08 is provided with a downturned lug I I4 adapted, in one position of the arm, to ride on a progressively rising surface ||5 of the cam 86 so as to raise or lower the valve-stem 12 and needle valve I0 in accordance with the position of the cam. 'I'he surface I5 is connected to the vertical periphery of the cam by an inclined surface II6, and the cam 86 is also provided with a at, depressed portion III. The inclined surface IIB and the at portion ||1 will hereinafter be further referred to.

The arm |08 is further provided with an upturned lug ||8 adapted to be engaged by the forked end |20 of an actuating lever |22. The lever |22 comprises a body portion |24 and a handle extension |26 adapted to receive a manipulating knob |28. The body portion of the lever has an opening |30 through which the reduced upper end of the cam hub passes, so that lever |22, when assembled pivotally rests on the shoulder |00 of the cam hub. The handle extension |26 passes through an arcuate slot |32 provided in the bottom portion` |34 of the handle I8.

The lever` |22 and cam 86 arebiased downwardly against the thrust washer |02 by a dat spring I 40 having an opening |42 through which the upper end of the thermostat stem 42 passes. The atspring |40 is provided with reduced, de-

'.ilected ends |44 which engage openings |48 iny cover portion 88. The upper end of the thermo- Assembly' The upper and lower parts of the tank and the sleeves 46 and 64 are assembled asshown, and

the upper and lower parts of the tank are welded or otherwise suitably secured, in fiuidtight relation, to each other and to the adjacent portions of the sleeves 46 and 64,. The bushing 58 is then threaded to the lower end of the sleeve 64 and the packing 18, washer 82, spring 80 and collar 14 are assembled on the stem 12. The arm |08 is next threaded onto the valve stem 12, and the valve stem is inserted into the sleeve 64 with the .lgwer end thereof extending into the bushing The unitary, Previously calibrated thermostat and its adjusting stem are assembled to the soleplate, and the tank, carrying the assembled water valve, is lowered onto the soleplate so as to cause the thermostat adjusting stem to pass upwardly through the sleeve 46. In this position,

'the flange 50 of the bushing 56 restsupon the steam gasket 58 and the closure plate 54 of the generator 50, as clearly shown in Fig. 4.

lclears the low portion ||1 oi the cam, even after With the tank thus assembled tothe soleplate, the washer |02 and the cam l0 are slipped over the upper end oi the thermostat adjusting stem and the arm is moved to the Bteam" posi tion as shown in Fig. 5. The cam Il is preferably so positioned on the thermostat adjusting stem that the ilat, low portion of the cam registers l with the downwardly deflected lug I |4 of the arm |00. In order to facilitate the assembly and insure proper positioning o! the cam, the cam and the thermostat adjusting stem may be indexed in any suitable manner.

The arm |02 is now vertically adjusted with respect to the valve stem 12, until the lug ||4 l5 the lower end Il o! the valve has moved downwardly far enough completely to close the orifice 02.. By this construction', the cam may be moved in either direction, through arange equal to the length yci the low portion'l of the cam. without aectlng the position of the arm |02 and the valve 10. The cam may, therefore, be moved to an ofi position, in which the heating element of the iron is not energized, or it may be moved to an on position in which the heating element is energized, while the oriiice B2 remains closed. It will be noted that if the heating 'element is energized while the lug |4 registers with the low portion ||1 of the cam, the iron will be maintained at a relatively low temperature 'at 30 which no water need'be admitted to the steam generating chamber. It will thus be seen that the supply of water to the steam generating chamber is completely shut oil as long as the heating element remains deenergized or as long as the iron is maintained at a predetermined low temperature.

With the arm |08 adjusted to the position marked Steam as shown in Fig. 5, the cam is adjusted to a position in which the temperature of the `iron will be suitable for ironing a certain class of fabrics such, for example, as wool. The arm |00 is now adjusted on the valve stem 12 so that engagement of the lug I4 with the adjacent portion of the cam will open the oriceCZ and permit water to flow into the steam generating chamber at a rate which will insure vaporization of such water by the heat at which the iron is maintained by the particular setting of the cam. The locking sleeve H0 is next threaded onto the upper end of the valve stem to retain the arm |08 in the position to which it has been adjusted.

The surface of the cam is such that, with the arm |00` adjusted as described. rotation of the cam in one direction or the other will cause the valve stem to move up or down, to increase or decrease4 the flow of water through the orifice 62 according to `the rise or fall of the temperature of the iron. For example, if 'the cam is turned to the position marked I iinen, the temperature of the iron will be raised, the lug ||4 of the arm |00 will ride on a vhigher portion of the cam, and the flow of water through the oriiice will be correspondingly increased. If the cam is turned to the position marked Rayon, the temperature of the iron will be decreased, the lug ||4 will ride on a lower portion of the cam, and the flow of water through the oriiice 02 will be accordingly decreased.

After the c-am $0 and arm |08 have been assembled and adjusted, the actuating arm |22 is slipped over the thermostat adjusting stem 42', with the upper end of the stem projecting loosely through the opening and the body portion |24 of the arm resting on the shoulder |00 of the 75 cam hub 9|. The arm |22 is so positioned that the forked end |20 thereof engages the upwardly denected lug ||l o! the arm |00. 'I'he pivotally mounted arm |22 is thus movable arcuately about the axis of the thermostat adjusting stem and is operative to move the arm |00 to engage the lug ||4 thereof with, or disengage it from, the surface Il! of the cam 00. If desired, spring or other positioning means may be used to bias the arm |22 to, and to retain said arm in, either of its positions.

To complete the assembly, the spring ||2 is slipped over the locking sleeve ||0, and the ilat spring |40 is placed on the body portion |24 of the actuating arm |22 with the thermostat adjusting stem extending through the opening |42 in the spring |40. The inished cover I0 is next lowered over the assembled tank and soleplate with the upper ends of the valve stem 12 and the thermostat adjusting stem 42, passing through thev openings 04 and 02, respectively, with the ends of the spring |40 engaging the openings |46 in the bridge portion n of the cover, and with the spring ||2 confined between the body portion of the arm |00 and the tab 90 oi the cover. In this position, the spring ||2 biases the valve ,ste-m downwardly, and the spring |40 `biases the actuating lever |22 and cam 98 downwardly.

Operation When it is desired to use the iron as a dry ironthe arm |22" is moved to the position markedl Dry, in which the lug ||4 of the arm |00 rides ofi the cam surfacev ||5 to permit the spring ||`2 to bias the needle valve 10 downwardly until the needle Vvalve completely closes the oriiice 02.'

no Water is delivered to the steam generating.

chamber regardless of any adjustment of the thermostat.

Ii', while the iron is suiiiciently hot and the thermostat is in its on position, it is desired to supply steam to the iron, the arm|22 is moved to the position marked Steam in which the lug ||4 of the arm |08 rides on the adjacent portion oi' the cam surface I I5, so as to raise the valve 10 and open the oriiice 82 to an extent determined by the height of the particular cam surface por tion on which the lug ||4 happens to ride. If the thermostat adjusting -stem is turned in a direction to increase the heat at which it is desired to maintain the iron, a higher portion of.

the cam surface will be presented to the lug ||4 so as to increase the opening of the oriiice 62 and increase the vdelivery of water to the steam generator. If the'thermostat adjusting stem is turned in the opposite direction, the opposite eil'ect will be produced, The structure of the cam and the adjustment of the water valve are such that when the cam is adjusted to maintain the ironat a very low temperature at which water will not be readily changed into steam, the valve 10 will close the oriilce 62 even though the lug ||4 may be in engagement with a low portion of the cam face H5. Also, as above pointed out,

when the low portion of the cam registers v with Ithe lug H4, the thermostat may be either in its oli position in which the heating element is not energized, or in` a position in which the heating element is energized but the iron is maintained at`a'relatively low temperature. In this position o! the parts. the oriilce 62 will be completely closed by the valve 10. It will thus be seen that no water can be delivered to the steam generating chamber when the iron is cold, or is at a relatively low temperature, and that the amount of water delivered to the steam generator is varied according to the increase or decrease in the temperature at which the iron is maintained.

When it is desired to use the iron as a steam iron, and if the iron is cold, as for example, after a long period of non-use, the arm |08 is moved to the Dry position shown in Fig. 6 in which the orifice 62 is closed. The knob |50 is then turned to adjust the thermostat to the position in which the iron brought up to and maintained at a predetermined degree of heat. When the iron has been suiiiciently heated the arm |22 is moved to the Steam position shown in Fig. in which the lug Ill rides on the corresponding portion of the cam surface ||5 to open the oriiice in accordance with the degree of heat at which the iron is maintained.

It will be noted that the supply of steam may be cut oi altogether or may be turned on and automatically adjusted, during any ironing operation, by merely moving the arm |22 from one of its positions to the other, without disturbing the adjustment of the thermostat. It will be also noted that in both positions of the arm |08, the forked end of the actuating lever |22 continues to engage the upturned lug l I8 of the arm |08.

It will also be seen from the foregoing that the handle I6, the cover i8 and the tank Il may all be dismantled one from the other and from the soleplate i2 without affecting the calibration of the water valve or of the thermostat. For example, the stem 12 can be completely withdrawn from the sleeve 64 and returned into position therein, without varying the calibration or adjustment of the valve, as long as the relation of the arm |08 and the locking sleeve |10 to the valve stem 12 remains the same. Also by indexing the adjusted position of the bushing 56, the bushing can be disconnected, cleaned and the adiustment of the valve.

Similarly, the handle I6, the knobs |50 and |28, the cover 8, the spring |40, the cam 00, the washer |02, and the tank Il may all be removed and the unitary thermostat assembly may be entirely disconnected from the soleplate, and all of the parts mentioned may be reassembled without affecting the calibration of the thermostat, it being understood that care must be taken to pre'- vent particles of dirt from getting under the cam 06 or under the washer |02.

'replaced in its indexed position without affecting While in the embodiment illustrated a tank il is shown for containing the water or other fluid, it is pointed out that the invention is equally ap-l plicable to an iron in which the tank is omitted and water or other iiuid is supplied to th'e interior of the bushing from an externalsource. In the event that the tank I4 is omitted, a strap or the like can be used for supporting the washer |02 and the cam 96. 4

In Fig. 8 there is shown a modified form of cam 06a which may be used interchangeably with the cam 06 forming part of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to '1.

The cam 96a is identical with the cam 90 except that it is provided with a ridge or raised portion |56 disposed between the slanting surface lli and the gradually rising face H5 of the cam. The ridge |50 is preferably circumferentially coextensive with th'e cam face lili and is of a constant height measured from the flat lower surface of the cam. Ihe upper surface of the ridge |50 is preferably as high or somewhat high'er than the highest point of the cam face III.

As will be seen from Fig. 8, the ridge |50 is in the path of movement of the lug Ill of the arm |08, so that as the lug is moved onto or off the cam surface H5, the lug IM must move across the upper surface of the ridge |50. The momentary engagement of the lug III with the ridge |00 raises the valve stem 12 toa maximum valve opening position, thus permitting momentary and sudden increased flow of water through the orifice 82 regardless of the setting of the cam 88a. It will be understood that after the lug III has cleared the ridge |56, it will ride on the adjacent portion of the cam surface H5 so that the opening of th'e orifice will be regulated according to the setting of the cam as explained in connection with the cam 90.

The momentary and sudden increase of flow of water through the orifice 62 serves to flush the orifice, thus dislodging relatively loose particles of salts or other foreign matter that may have lodged in the orifice and which would not have been dislodged by th'e gradual and slow ilow of water through the orifice which takes place when the orifice is opened gradually to the extent dictated by the portion of the cam surface on which the lug ||4 happens to ride at any given adjustment of the cam. This is particularly true when the cam is set to maintain the iron at a relatively low temperatureand th'e oriice is opened to a relatively limited extent. The amount of water which will flow through the orifice while the lug Ill is moving. across the ridge |56, especially when the thermostat is set for a low temperature, will be in excess of the amount of water required by the iron temperature, but since the increased flow of water is only momentary, the excess .amount of water so delivered will be too small to interfere with proper operation of the iron,

While I have shown my invention in several forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptiblel of various other changes and modicationswithout departing from the. spirit thereof.

What I claim is:

1. An electric iron comprising a soleplate, a heating element therefor, a thermostat for controlling the energization of said element, means providing a steam generating chamber, means providing an orifice for delivering water to said chamber, a valve for controlling said orifice, -a stem for adjusting said valve, means biasing said valve-to-close said orifice, a stem 4for adjusting said thermostat, a cam carried by said thermostat adjusting stem and having an aperture through which said thermostat adjusting stem passes, said cam being slidable longitudinally of said thermostat adjusting stem but being locked for joint rotation therewith, the surface of said cam having a gradually rising portion, and a follower arm carried by said valve adjusting stem and adapted to ride on said portion to move said -valve to open said orifice to an extent determined by the rise of said portion.

2. 'Ihe structure recited in claim 1 in which the surface of said cam includes a peripheral slanting portion to facilitate movement of said follower arm onto and off said rising` portion, together with actuating means for moving .said follower arm onto and off said rising portion.

3. The structure recited in claim 1 in which' valve 9 the surface of said cam includes a flatrecessed portion so arranged that, when saidv arm registers with said flat portion, said valve closes said orifice.

4. The structure recited in claim 1 together with al pivotally mounted actuating lever engaglng said follower arm and operable to move said arm onto, or off, the rising portion of said cam without affecting the adjustment 'of said thermostat or the relation of said follower'arm to said cam or said valve adjusting stern.

5. An electric iron comprising a soleplate, a heating element therefor, a thermostat for controlling the energization of said element, means providing a steam generating chambena reservoir adapted to contain water to be converted into steam in said chamber, a wall structure deiining an orifice for delivering Water from said reservoir to said chamber, a valve for controlling said oriiice, a stem for adjusting said valve, means biasing said valve adjusting stem to close said orifice, said stem projecting through aA passage extending through said reservoir, a stem for adjusting said thermostat, said stem projecting through a passage extending through said reservoir, a cam `disposed above said reservoir and having an aperture through which said thermostat adjusting stem extends, said cam lbeing slidable longitudinally of said thermostat adjusting stem, means for locking said cam for joint rotation with said thermostat adjusting stem, and afollower arm secured to said valve adjusting stem and adapted to ride on said cam to vary the position of said valve relative to said orifice with the rotation of said thermostat adjusting stem and said cam.

6. An electric iron including a. soleplate, a heating element therefor, means providing a steam generating chamber, means providing an 'oriice for delivering water to said chamber, a thermostat for controlling energization of said element and inclding an adjusting stem for varying the temperature setting of the thermostat, a valve assembly for said orifice including a valve, a valve adjusting stem and a follower arm carried by said valve adjusting stem, a cam having a low surface portion and a progressively rising surface portion, said cam being rotatable with said thermostat adjusting stem, said follower arm being so adjusted relative to said valve adjusting stem that, when said follower arm registers with the low portion of said cam said valve closes said orifice and when said arm rides on the progressively rising portion of said cam, said valve is moved correspondingly to open said orifice, said cam including a raised portion, the upper surface of which is at least as high as the highest point of said progressively rising surface portion,

said raised portion being so disposed that said follower arm must ride on said raised portion,`

when it is moved into or out of engagement with said progressively rising portion to move said adjusting stem upwardly to increase the thermostat for controlling energization of said element and including an adjusting stem for varying the temperature setting of the thermostat, a valve assembly for said orifice including a valve, a valve adjusting stem and a follower arm carried by said valve adjusting stem, a cam having a low surface portion and a progressively rising surface portion, said cam being rotatable with said thermostat adjusting stern, sai-d follower arm being so adjusted relative to said valve adjusting stem that, when said follower arm regv isters with the low portion of said cam said valve closes said orifice and when said arm rides on the progressively rising portion of said cam, said valve is moved correspondingly to open said orifice, said cam including a raised portion, the upper surface of which is at least as high as the highest point of said progressively rising surface portion, said raised portion being circumferentially coextensive and disposed adjacent the outer marginal portion of said progressively rising surface portion so that when said follower arm is moved into or out of engagement with said progressively rising surface portion, said arm rides across the upper surface of said raised portion to raise said valve adjusting stem upwardly to permit increased flow of water through said orifice during the movement of said follower arm across the uppper surface of said raised portion.

8. .An electric iron comprising a soleplate, a heating element therefor, a thermostat for controlling the energization of said element, means providing a steam generating chamber, means providing an orifice for delivering water to said chamber, a valve for controlling said orifice, a stem for adjusting said valve, means biasing said valve to close said orifice, a stem for adjusting sai-d thermostat, a cam carried .by said thermostat adjusting stem, said cam having a gradually rising surface portion and a raised marginal portion of constant height, the upper surface of said raised portion being at least as high as the of the gradually rising surface portion engaged opening of said orifice and permit momentary increased flow of water through said orlce.

1. An electric iron including a soleplate, a heating element therefor, means providing a steam generating chamber, means providing an orifice for delivering water to said chamber. a

by said arm, said raised portion being so disposed adjacent said gradually rising portion that when said follower arm is moved into or out of engagement with said gradually rising portion, said follower arm will ride on the upper surface of said raised portion to move said valve adjusting stem upwardly and open said orifice accordingly to permit increased flow oi' water through said orifice.

ELDRED O. MORTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are ofrecer:l in the file of this patent: A

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,342,653 Edwards Feb. f29. 1944 l2,342,716 Woodman Feb. 29, 1944 

